Plansfor disabled accessat playpark unveiled

Preliminary plans for upgrades to Invergowrie Park have been unveiled in order to make the play area more accessible for children with disabilities.

The plans, released on Wednesday, July 25, show two of the pieces of equipment planned are aimed at being more accessible for children with disabilities in the area – which includes a basket swing and a wheelchairaccessible roundabout.

The plans are part of a revamp to numerous play parks throughout Perth and Kinross.

The council’s community greenspace team have been co-ordinating the plans with the Invergowrie and Kingoodie Community Group who hope works will take place this year.

The community group has been involved with local input and organised an open meeting on June 28, to which the community was invited to view the draft plans and comment.

Diane Cassidy, senior community capacity builder for the council, met with them to discuss the plans.

She said: “The group have improvements to Invergowrie Park at the top of their agenda.

“Following on from the workshops at the school and a couple of community surveys, our landscape architect Russell, had drawn up a draft plan for the park to help with discussions.

“The old equipment has come to the end of its life and the new play equipment will fit into the woodland setting, being made of wood with ropes. There will also be informal play encouraged with mounds and logs.

“It is hoped the new play area can incorporate equipment suitable for children with a range of abilities, such as a roundabout accessible by wheelchair, a basket swing and sensory equipment, with pathways for access.

“It is understood the community is keen to raise money for extra equipment including a see-saw and sensory play equipment and is considering raising money for pathways, fencing and bollard lighting.”

Invergowrie is one of eight parks that are being surveyed for draft plans with many of the rejuvenation work planned into 2019.

Perth and Kinross Council maintains over 150 play areas and have a rolling programme to allow them to manage these to a satisfactory standard.

Every year the council focuses on the improvement of approximately six play areas that are coming close to the end of their usable life, usually after 15 to 20 years.

Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that draft plans can be accessed at http://www.pkc.gov.uk/ playareaimprovements